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Bill

HB 1910

Creates "Bentley and Mason's Law" relating to child maintenance orders for certain persons convicted of the offense of driving while intoxicated

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Warwick and 1 co-sponsor

Missouri bill establishes special child support order provisions for individuals convicted of driving while intoxicated, linking family law obligations to criminal convictions.

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 11 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
#childrenandminors #courts #drunkdriving/boating #familylaw #victimsofcrime
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Bill Summary · HB 1910

Legislative bill overview

HB 1910 creates "Bentley and Mason's Law," which modifies child maintenance (support) orders for individuals convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI). The bill appears to establish new provisions or requirements regarding how child support obligations are handled for DWI offenders, though specific provisions aren't detailed in the available information.

Why is this important

Child support enforcement directly affects family finances and child welfare. DWI convictions may impact an offender's ability to work and earn income, which can influence their capacity to pay support. This legislation attempts to address the intersection of criminal justice outcomes and family law obligations.

Potential points of contention

  • Constitutional concerns: Tying child support modifications to criminal convictions (rather than actual income changes) could raise equal protection or due process arguments about treating similarly situated individuals differently based on offense type
  • Practical enforceability: The bill may create challenges in determining appropriate support levels if it rigidly applies consequences based on conviction status rather than actual financial capacity
  • Scope ambiguity: Without seeing the specific language, it's unclear whether this applies to all DWI convictions, first-time offenders only, or those with specific aggravating factors, which could affect fairness and consistency

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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